“Do not let her leave.”

video before Rowan could upload it to her meticulously curated social media feeds.

That was when I saw it.

In the background of the paused video frame, tucked into a dead corner behind the pastel-draped gift table, sat a heavy canvas tote bag I had never seen before. Jutting out from its unzipped top was the rigid spine of a three-inch black binder. continue reading …